Hyperpyrexia associated with fatal paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA) abuse.
Investigation of a suspicious death became confused when apparently contradictory findings arose on examination of the body. Subsequent identification of amphetamine abuse including PMA resolved these issues. The reported case highlights some atypical features which may cause difficulty in this small but increasing group of deaths. Three rapid deaths attributed to PMA have been identified in Adelaide in the 12 months before June 1996.
James
R A
RA
Forensic Science Centre, Adelaide, Australia.
Dinan
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000506:poisoning*; D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection
D000662:Amphetamines; D006213:Hallucinogens; C100230:4-methoxyamphetamine